FLAT ROCK 

NORTH CAROLINA 



A SRetch of The Past 



FLAT ROCK 

NORTH CAROLINA 



A SKETCH OF THL PA5T 



Tr-e-n In 1 m , A I C. ) a. lV\\ A 1 1 e. ir o V) , 







Site of the Old Inn 



y ^ •^HE development of Biltmore, has brought Western 
■ ^ J North Carohna prominently before the public, and 
^^^ Asheville in particular, has derived many benefits 
from the Vanderbilt purchases made in that vicinity fifteen 
(or more) years ago. 

Comparatively few persons, however, know much about 
the interesting old settlement of Flat Rock, 22 miles South 
of Asheville, and several miles only from the thriving and fast- 
growing town of Hendersonville. 

Indeed, there are many who would not appreciate the 
quiet, easy-going life, where some of the most cultured fam- 
ilies of the South, spend the hot months of summer. 

Not so very long ago, the roads in and around Flat Rock, 
were all densely wooded and shady, and even now, though 
much of the woodland has been destroyed, there are still some 
lovely drives which are most picturescjue ; and in Spring the 
wild violets fairly carpet the pathways, while festoons of the 
wild-rose hang from their l^ushes in sprays of delicate beauty. 

3 







- •"■'"-i.'^g. ■•":;^'''y^>'^-'§:^- 



Argyle 



Unfortunately, the inevitable "shanty" has appeared in 
certain localities, and is always a blot on any landscape! Save 
for an occasional glimpse of an old fashioned house seen from 
afar, the drive from the depot is rather disappointing, and it 
is only upon Aisiting the different homes — some fifty in num- 
ber — that one really begins to find out the charm of the place. 

There is none of the rush and confusion of the typical 
summer resort; where cheap annisements abound; no Itoister- 
ous middle-class — and the very atmosphere seems charged 
with calm and refreshing influences. 

Howe\er, I must lea^•e the present attractions of Flat 
Rock, and try to make a brief outline of the life here in bygone 
days — when this part of the country seemed very far removed 
from the restless world, and "Going to the Mountains" meant 
hard traAclling, and most of the way through dense forests. 




The I.i.ag 




Another \'iew uf the hodne 




Bruoklanils 



BIRTH OF THE SETTLEMENT 

About ninety years ago, a few friends from Charleston, 
S. C, took the trip here to look for a suitable location for 
a summer resort. T liey finall}- decided upon the plateau, upon 
which Flat Rock later materialized, as most desirable for many 
reasons. The sceneiy being beautiful; for the peaks of the 
Appalachian ranges could be seen in the far distance, melting 
into the horizon ; ( 'raggy, and what is now called Blount Mit- 
chell, and Old Bald were plainly visible; Also, toward the 
North-west, a view now and then of Alt. Pisgah; and Bear 
Wallow, Sugar Loaf, Saluda and Tryon loomed up East, and 
South-east; while nearer, the graceful outlines of Pinnacle 
and smaller foot-hills, charmed the sight, with their ever- 
shifting lights and shadows. 

Hunting and fishing, too, were great attractions — the danc- 
ing streams so numerous in the vicinity were full of fish, and 
the delicious mountain trout, so prized by the epicure, were to 
be found in quantities, especially in Green river, seven miles 




Clnii.h "I Si, .lnli;i-ni-lhe-\Vil.ii-riH 



South of Flat Rock. The fine cHmate and deHghtful water were 
great inducements, also the fact that good roads were possil)le 
(the country being not too mountainous) which, in days of diffi- 
cult transportation, meant a great deal. 

THE PIONEERS 

Mr. Charles Baring, of Baring Brothers, London ; Judge 
King, and Mr. Daniel Blake, of Charleston, S. C, and Mr. Mc- 
Alpin, of Georgia, were the gentlemen who decided upon set- 
tling in this region. Mr. Blake went on, a few miles beyond, 
and built at Fletcher, but the former remained at this spot, 
and they built the first homes in the neighborhood. Friends 
soon followed their example, and before long, quite a colony 
of Charlestonians was formed. We find among them many 
names, most distinguished in the history of their native State 
of South Carolina; as Rutledge, Drayton, Lowndes, Elliott, 
Pinckney, ]\Iiddleton, besides many others. 

Just pause awhile and think what a tremendous under- 
taking it must have been, to stage all the way from Charleston 
across Saluda! 




The- UtTli.i> 



The old State road, extending from the coast over the 
mountains and on through Tennessee, nuist have been the 
scene of many a merry party on their annual exodus to their 
summer homes! One can easily picture to themselves the lum- 
bering, clumsy stage-coach, creaking and groaning, swinging 
from side to side as the poor, tired horses, urged on by cracking 
whips, crept slowly up the steep grades. 

The regular residents, however, drove up in their own 
cai-rirges, and were usually followed by a train of wagons, bear- 
ing luggage, groceries, and the servants, quite a retinue to each 
family. 

IN THE LAKD OF DELIGHT 

Oh! how delightfully refreshing the crisp, cool air must 
have felt to the weary passengers! how deeply blue the sky! 
and could they e\ev forget the stop at mid-day! by the side 
of some sparkling stream, shaded by kalmia and the gor- 
geous rhododendrons, whose cooling shadows made an ideal 
resting place after hours — no, days — of hard jolting! 



The usual t!me chosen for this journey wos the latter j art 
of May, the most fascinatin<i of all months; who, with gay, 
nodding columbines, azaleas, tender greens of the youu'-i leaves 
and grasses, surely painted the earth with colors most rare 
for her low-country friends. With entrancing music, too, she 
filled the air, for clear, sweet notes, from full-throated birds, 
delifhtsd the ear, as they flew from tree to tree, in the forest's 
depths. For the variety and great profusion of wild fiowe"s, 
this se.'tion of North Carolina ranks next to Japan; that is, 
where Nature has not been mari-ed l)y the tutting cf trees 
and ploughing up of civilization! 

On arriving at Flat Pvock those who had homes went 
their way — those not so fortunate sought the Old Inn, which 
was comfortable, and the stage dri^•er changed his tired horses 
for fresh ones, and continued on his route. This Inn was 
prettily situated in a group of pines, on the main road. 

THE COMMUNITY GROWS 

After Flat Rock, as a resort for the Coast families, Ijecome 
an assured fact, other friends of Mr. Baring joined the com- 




Ctnint <le ('ln>i-Hii!'- 1 1 



munity, bought property and were delighted with the neigh- 
borhood. Among them were Mr. Molyneux, British Consul at 
Savann;ih, (ia., also the Count de Choi.seul, at that time 
French Consul at the same city. 

Does it net eeem ([uite remarkable that one, bearing the 
name of cne cf the oldest and most illustrious families of Fianc e, 
should have drifted into such a very rem.ote coiner of the world? 

Years later, during the Civil war, his ecu, Charles de Chois- 
eul, joined the Confederate army. He was killed in Virg'nia 
in 1862. His grave and these of his two aunts and his mother 
can be seen in the peaceful little graveyard which suiicunds 
the Episcopal ( hurch cf "St.-John-in-the-Wildeinees." 

Ibis churdi, at fiist only a small chapel erected by l\Ir. 
Baring in lS.'j2, was afterwards, when the community grew, 
found to be entirelj- too contracted, so it was partly demol- 
ished and rebuilt in 1852. In the church are the memorial tab- 
lets sacred to the memoiv of Mr. Baring and his first wife.* 



*His second wife was Miss Dent of CJeorsia. 



5' 





Teneriffe 



SKETCH OF THE BARIKGS 

Mrs. Baring was an English woman wliose first huslxand 
was Mr. Heyward, of Soutli Carolina. Tliey say she was very 
handsome, l)r:ght and amusing. 

Beth Mr. and Mrs. Raring were great factors in the de- 
velopment of Flat Reck, Ijeing public spirited and liberal in 
their expenditures and noted for theii' generous hospital- 
ity. Even at :'n advanced age, we hoar of Mrs. Baring 
indulging in her taste for large plumed hats, and sky-l)lue 
ribbons! Yet, in spite of these small vanities, she had plenty 
of strength of character, and even while suffering in her last 
illness, she ga\e ordeis that her coachman should ti-ain her 
horses to be driven around the house — up ;ind down her a\e- 
une— so that, when her spirit passed on to another life, her 
bodily remains should be taken to her gra^-e in a dignified 
and befitting manner. 

Their heme. The Lodge, was purchased in 1854 by jMr. 
Edward L. Trenholm, of Charleston, anfl is still owned by 



that family. IMr. Baring Ijuilt another home which e\ent- 
ually passed into other hands, and is now owned l^y Mrs. Bur- 
net Rhett, of Charleston, and hundreds of acres of land were 
owned by him around this region of country, and many a title 
deed can be traced back to him. 

ENTER THE LAWLESS 

Strange as it may seem, this secluded spot w^as in a con- 
stant state of turmoil during the Civil war. ]\Iost of the moun- 
taineers went on <iuietly enough with their daily life, but the 
inaccessibility of the moimtains made them a safe hiding 
place for the deserters, and these "Ijushwhackers" caused a 
great amount of anxiety and trouljle. 

Mr. Andrew Johnstone was killed at his front door by a 
party of these men, who insolently demanded money from him. 
He assured them he had none, and most kindly ordered 
that dinner be served them. The meal was eaten, but death 
was his reward for hospitality. His murderers escaped. 

The small mountains of Teneriffe, and Glassy, were fa\- 
orite places for those desiring to elude the law in the manu- 

23 



J^. 



<»*•'" 



, .^ 







Rayenswootl 



24 



factm-e of whiskey. Many a drink of "Moonshine" has been 
quaffed in the dim retreats of the ilheit chstiheries located 
thereabouts in days gone by! and many a Uttle lirown jug has 
found its way down from its mysterious home! What risks 
were run to obtain the poisonous stuff! "Mountain Dew," 
"Moonshine," and "Quick Step," were fondly familiar names 
to the denizens of these hills! 

SOME CHERISHED NAMES 

Among the many fine characters who were conspicuous 
in the community I find three whose memories are affection- 
ately cherished, for their many philanthropic deeds, and per- 
sonal kindnesses. 

These were Pvev. John (I. Drayton,* who was Rector of 
the Church for many, many years. Mr. C. G. IMemminger, 
Secretary of the Treasury of the Confederate States, who was 
most pu1)lic-spirited and generous in e^•ery way; and Dr. Mit- 
chell C. King, the beloved physician of this locality for over 
60 years. 

* Founder and owner of the celebrated gardens of Magnolia-on-the-Ashley. 




Glenroy 



Dr. King was a fellow-student (at the University of Goet- 
tingen) of Otto Von Bismarck. These friends kept up a reg- 
ular correspondence for years, and letters and photographs of 
Bismarck, are highly prized by Dr. King's descen dents. 

Maybe it would interest some persons to hear that Cora 
Urquehardt— Mrs. James Brown Potter— used to spend her 
summers here, when tiuite a child, her father owned the 
Count de Choiseuls' place for a short while. 



RETROSPECTIVE 

When the days of the Old Imi had passed and gone. Far- 
mers' Hotel was quite the fashion, and 'Scjuire Farmer* was 
a favorite with all, being kind-hearted and genial. 

Ihe Rev. Ed. Reed, who had charge of the Church here 
(before Mr. Draytcn) did much good work, and he was es- 
teemed by all. 

During the most prosperous period in the history of the 
neighborhood, prior to the Civil war, the social life must have 



*A relative of the first Mrs. Baring 




Rock Hill 



28 



been, truly, most delightful, for people came up early and re- 
mained until quite late in the autumn, and entertained con- 
tinually. Letters in the possession of residents here, tell of 
costume balls, dinner parties, and various amusements. 

On bright afternoons the Little River Road was thronged 
with carriages and riders — making a gay scene, and affording 
a pleasant opportunity of meeting one's friends. 

To do justice to the ideal life, led here in days gone by, 
would really he impossiljle. If the words I have written, to- 
gether with the pictures of the different homes, can convey 
even faintly, some idea of that life, I shall indeed feel gratifiecl. 

ALICIA MIDDLETON TRENHOLM 
The Lodge, 

April, 1908. 




taniiHr- Hcilc 



30 





K#%'^S 


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Rhododentlrons on the Piedmont Grounds 



31 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

FOKMEK OWXER NAME OF PLA('E PRESENT OWNER 

-.- Site of Old Inn Jn Jp -JiLl^ 

Judge King Argyle ..Mistt-iaattfrfT'''^^ - / 

Mr. liaring Tlie Lodge Mrs-JieiiimWh (7?*^'^>-^ 

Mr. Mulyiieux Brooklands Maj. Barker 

- - —Episcopal Church 

Rectory 

Mr. Middletcin Saluda Cottages Mrs. Seigling 

Count de Choiseul de Choiseul Home Misses Norton // J/jlA 

Rev. C. C. Pinckney Piedmont Mi.x.K . < Mil ct/^ ^/^-^'M'^^' 

Dr. Shoolhred Teneriffe _ Mr. Vincent 4t ^ 

Mr. Johnstone Beaumont Mit— WTTnHt>v^ e^rW^/^^ 

Rev. J. G. Drayton Ravenswood Mrs. Hastie ' 

Dr. King Glenroy Mr. Bryan 

Mr. C. G. Memminger Rock Hill Capt. Smythe 

Mr. H. T. Farmer ...Farmer's Hotel Country Club 



The Inland Press, Asheville, N. C. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



014 495 328 9 



